SSIS Stories

It's been less than a year since we held our first parent session about Generative Artificial Intelligence. Here's where SSIS is today.

When people feel like they belong, they feel safe and are more apt to explore and experiment—and ultimately succeed and flourish. Our Belonging Committee is working actively to make belonging a living, breathing part of our community.

In a series of interactive sessions, SSIS high school students recently dove into the fascinating careers of more than 20 professionals from our extended community. 

From founding the high school chess club to spearheading a charity raising autism awareness in Vietnam, Milly is one of only five international semi-finalists to be awarded the prestigious National Honor Society (NHS) Scholarship.

With a dedicated network of support, new facilities, and an offering that includes AP, IBDP, and innovative SSIS courses our high school students are charting their paths to top universities all around the world. 

In Kindergarten Art class, students have been using the 3D forms they're learning about to make dragons out of clay. Read more about their hands-on creative process.

Inspired by a fellow student's impressive writing accomplishments, Apolline entered the Pivotal Essay Competition and received accolades of her own.

“Think of a color. Any color. What sound do you hear?” Our Grade 5 students recently shared their answers in an impressive concert inspired by the unique and innovative art of Wassily Kandinsky. 

From tinkering in the MakerSpace to designing 3D-printed bubble wands or building solar-powered ovens our students are discovering the joy of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) through real-world challenges.

In Future Crafters, Grade 6 students have been igniting their creativity with hands-on coding and modeling using components from robotics kits, diodes, and cardboard.

Learn how Justine, Greta, and Phuong Anh have seized the opportunity to challenge themselves academically through passion projects that are preparing them for the next step of their academic careers.

Ms. Woollvin’s unique perspectives on classic fairytales added to our Grade 3 students understanding of others as they start their second SuperUnit of the year, "Kaleidoscope."

Learning how to set goals can be instrumental in a young person’s life. Ensuring that our students build this vital skill, educators like EAL teacher Julianne Athon are helping them develop the tools they’ll need to be successful.

How do the languages you speak shape who you are and contribute to your self-image? Earlier this year ES students, parents, and teachers thought about this important question through an inspiring hands-on reflection called a “Language Identity Portrait.” 

Grade 2 students, empowered by their “Building a Better Me” SuperUnit, are not just mastering personal goal-setting and healthy living but are spreading their newfound knowledge and impacting peers beyond their grade level! 

As one of only 0.28% worldwide, Grade 10 student Bao Nhi earned the full score on her AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) exam. Congratulations, Bao Nhi!

In front of a live auditorium audience, Grade 4 students took to the stage for the G4 Talks, sharing all of the learning they've done this quarter on how our decisions can impact our health and well-being.

Learn how creating a shared STEAM vision is helping SSIS educators make sure that our students are prepared to create, innovate, and lead the future.

You might have noticed that our Elementary School has a new theme this year - Ubuntu - but what does it mean? And why do we even have a yearly theme in the ES?

Awarded as one of 25 students worldwide among 19,000 contestants, and as the only student from Vietnam, Elsa's essay on British Colonialism earned third prize from senior academics from Oxford and Princeton.

Setting out on a unique voyage, more than 100 SSIS students recently engaged in a riverside cleanup, deepening their connection to their neighborhood and their awareness of the role each individual plays in larger environmental issues. 

When our students returned with extraordinary experiences from their summer break, our faculty wanted to make sure that the growth of these students could be shared throughout our community...

Much like an orchestra where every instrument plays an important part, everyone in our community is playing an active role in the successful launch of the new school year!

Before our seniors go away to college, we spoke with a few of them to find out how the SSIS core values have impacted their journeys out into the wider world.

We're so proud of our swimmers. Demonstrating incredible determination they earned them the "Most Effective" award at a recent invitational.

Making SSIS and NSDA history, Meherika was recently selected as one of only 24 delegates on the National Speech and Debate Association's newly formed Student Leadership Council. But it almost didn’t happen.

As educators worldwide consider the implications of the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), SSIS wants to ensure that parents play an active part in discussions about how it will impact the future of education.

Showing elite dedication to his passion for golf recently paid off in a big way for Grade 8 student, Michael.

As the SSIS Summer Internship Program expands, more and more students want to take advantage of the opportunities and personal development that an internship provides.

By stepping into the world of hungry birds, students discover the power of survival strategies and the intricate dance of adaptation that takes place in nature. 

Wowing its audience with its dazzling premiere night, the HS musical "Once on This Island" showcases the dedication and talent of its predominantly first-time cast and crew. 

In a four-part monthly parent series this spring, our expert educators will provide insights and tips, addressing themes from our elementary school parents' feedback.

The path to success can look very different from one high schooler to another. As students navigate these critical years, having dedicated counselors who understand your child’s social-emotional and academic needs, interests, and abilities is a significant asset.

After more than two years of not being able to hold traditional on-campus activities due to the pandemic, our amazing PTA is making up for lost time. 

Students listen to the captivating voice of English Language Arts teacher, John Koski, vividly bringing the characters of Varsha Bajaj’s book “Thirst” to life as part of the Global Read Aloud program.
 

If the IB subjects are the “brain” of the program, you can think of the IB Core as its heart. Learn more about this central element of the IBDP.

Walking into a room blaring the 1985 hit song “Shout” by the group Tears for Fears, IB Language & Literature may not be the first thing that springs to mind. But that’s exactly what greeted students upon arrival to their class on “intertextuality.”

A brand new gallery of student work is on display along the walls that separate the exciting construction of our new middle school and new STEAM/Design Center, both due to open in 2024, from our walkways!

When you think of Week Without Walls, you may think of students journeying to far-off destinations and overcoming adversity. But sometimes, you don’t have to travel far to experience growth.

Through a series of thought-provoking activities across subjects, students explore who they are and strengthen their "Sense of Self."

Zip-lining, using a bow and arrow, and crossing a rope bridge are just some of the thrilling ways first graders chose to practice setting targets during their first field trip of the year.

Drum circles build community - they are inclusive, everyone can participate, and drumming gives students a chance to express themselves without verbal communication. 

Ms. Nguyễn shared a powerful message about how writing helped her to find forgiveness, connect to her home country and give agency to forgotten voices.

After nearly a year without performances, our middle and high school theater students recently delighted audiences with plays that ranged from quirky to thought-provoking.

From a rocket’s ability to land on its own, to maintaining a water heater’s consistent temperature, algorithms are everywhere. In our Advanced Automation class, students are learning how to put them to use. 
 

Harnessing the power of the sun using cardboard and tinfoil, grade 6 students learn how to build sustainable solutions for impoverished communities with just a few household items.

Using nurturing language, you can learn more about what excites your child about their learning and create an environment that promotes growth.

Equipped with a single piece of cardboard, a ruler and a box cutter, students in grade 4 recently discovered how small inaccuracies can have a large impact. 

When EC - grade 6 return to in-person learning after the Tet holiday, it will be the first time in over 8 months that our entire student body reunites on campus. And we’re not sure who is more excited, our students or us! 
 

During our Virtual Career Day, more than 30 professionals took time to share their career journeys, shedding light on the many paths to career fulfillment.

In dedicated parent education sessions on topics like managing technology at home and online safety, SSIS aims to support families in navigating these complex issues.

The benefits of reading aloud to children are numerous, and "read-alouds" are one fun way that SSIS teachers are supporting young readers at home. Two of our teachers are on a mission to spread the magic in the community!

In his “Future Crafters,” grade 6 teacher Thomas Lupton is using Minecraft: Education to inspire students to explore solutions to meet the UN Global Goals.

Students in high school are learning how to normalize speaking out about difficult emotions. And, that at times, we all need somebody to lean on. 

Each week more than 100 fourth-graders at SSIS gather for a 30-minute presentation by guest speakers from around the world.

At SSIS, Ms. Braun is known as a fierce advocate for her students, so it is not surprising that she stepped up to the plate to help a group of international students in need.

What do the periodic table, a teddy bear and an autobiography by Alexander Dubcek have in common? They are all examples of the everyday objects used by students in the ToK Exhibition to present a perspective on a “knowledge question.”

When elementary school parents asked for more activities and socialization for their children, our specialists in Art, PE, Drama, Wellness, STEM, and Music sprang to action creating “Dragon’s Club.” 

In just two weeks’ time, the SSIS community has raised 400,700,008 VND to support families in need in Ho Chi Minh City. That’s more than twice our original fundraising goal!

Our Grade 5 students are learning that thinking about space is much more than science. It is the idea of audacious possibility mixed with know-how and tenacity.

Dragon Market, a student-led initiative gives high schoolers a venue to try their hand at entrepreneurship.

Focusing on student wellbeing, our MS advisory program makes time for students to engage in rich social-emotional learning experiences twice a week.

Students are learning that they can be agents of change, positively impacting the SSIS habitat for bees and butterflies, and the environment!

During a recent Parent Education session on engineering, coding and design, SSIS parents learned why failure is such an important part of solving difficult problems.

Trading places with Principal Burger for a day, Grade 7 student, Nam, learns what it takes to be the Middle School principal at SSIS!

We couldn’t be more excited about the positive feedback from parents and students about our new Virtual School program. Here’s a glimpse into a few of the changes.

Water is rapidly flowing from a spout at the top of the model landmass. What'll happen to the "villages" below? That’s up to our Grade 4 students to predict!

SSIS offers the broadest range of High School course options of any international school in Vietnam. Our support structure ensures that students feel confident in making the best choices.

Thinking about legacies that have been left for them, Grade 7 students in Ms. Natalie Beals' class look to their own cultures, becoming expert storytellers in the process.

"Given the volatility that we’ve seen this year amid the constant risk of unpredictable campus closure, "Data in a Day" was a particularly effective data collection method," says Head of Saigon South International School, Dr. Catriona Moran.

Our recent half-day workshop “Data in a Day” included more than 60 community members with representation by students, faculty, staff, administration, parents, and alumni.

Despite a ten year gap, students find ways to connect while building important community bonds.

Using new technology to understand and appreciate mandalas, middle schools students are using their iPads in new and unexpected ways.

At the start of each school year, high school students at SSIS come together to share their passions and interests for various topics, as part of the annual High School Club Expo.

Spirits were high among everyone as students scanned their IDs to enter campus and get the new school year under way!

During what has been a period of uncertainty in our community, and across the world, we are so proud to have been able to give the Class of 2020 the memory of their High School graduation.

When schools start up again, not everything is just "like normal." Students need help processing the past few months. Here are a few ways that's being done.

Although some things remain the same, life on campus has changed from before the worldwide COVID-19 crisis. This is how we've adjusted.

“What is important to you during social distancing and virtual school?”, with this question Middle School Art teacher, Rebecca Jardin prompted students to consider what they are grateful for.

SSIS Elementary School art teacher, Regina Maniaci, believes that good art comes from within and can help us through hard times.

When is the last time you had a chance to meet someone who is friends with a gorilla and has photographed polar bears? For our students, it was just a few weeks ago!

On Saturday, January 18, history was made at SSIS when we became the first school to ever host a VEX Robotics Competition in Vietnam. 

"I wonder why there’s so much paper and tissue in the trash?" Second-grade students have many questions as they are confronted with a week’s worth of waste.

The “MS Dragons Reading Challenge,” is one of the many creative ways that new MS Librarian, Claire Elam, is encouraging middle schoolers to read more.

Both the Girls' and the Boys' Volleyball teams placed number one in this year's MRISA Volleyball Tournament. What a way to bring the season to an end. Go Dragons! 

Where does our waste actually go and what is our personal impact? Grade 7 students went to Da Phuoc landfill to find out.